Eating in New Zealand

There was a time, about twenty years ago, when Aussies heading for New Zealand were all told to take a packed lunch because the food was inedible. Well, I have just eaten at the New Zealand Restaurant of the Year and, well, read on.

I know that things have changed in New Zealand on the food front. It the old situation that we had in Australia - we had to get that dreadful English food off our backs and start eating local produce cooked to perfection rather than lamb and beef cooked to a point where it was only one step removed from firewood.
Well, I have started my New Zealand adventure in style. I ate at Partingtons at the Langham Hotel tonight and it was, and I am not exaggerating, absolutely amazing. It should be good. It just won the award of New Zealand Restaurant of the Year at the New Zealand Culinary Fair.
This was what the room was like. The food was even better.
I have a weakness for a good degustation menu and the Partington has a modest nine course menu which, in Australian dollars, will set you back around $100. That is $NZ120 to the locals. The chef, Sascha Exenberger - and there is nothing like this in Australia - is Austrian and he has decided to use the best of New Zealand and European produce (he actually imports Iberico ham from Spain at a cool $150 per kg) and to create a menu which is a fascinating mixture of NZ, Europe and Asia. Is this possible? Well it works. Let me bore you with the dishes. We started with a spinach and feta pastry with tztziki sauce (that's Greek), then we moved on to Iberico ham with port-marinated melon (that's Spain and Portugal) before moving on to curried coconut chowder with poached oyster (that's Malaysia) and the most perfectly cooked whitebait (that, I suppose, is New Zealand) which you were meant to dip into the chowder. Should I really go on? I don't want you dribbling all over the computer keyboard. OK here goes. Main course was snapper with gnocchi, rocket pesto and zucchini (sounds Italian to me) then Roast garlic-crusted lamb (pure New Zealand) before Sainte Marie goat cheese (France), Banana mousse - the most perfect banana mousse I have ever tasted (let's call that Caribbean) and it was all light and bright. No heavy European sauces. A perfect combo which has me now licking my chops and dreaming about going back for seconds - which, of course, I will not do.
I could eat NZ food all day long. Where are the other great places in the North? I don't know whether they can match Partingtons but, if they are good, they deserve to be mentioned. I am on a mission to convince people that eating in this country is one of the great experiences. More food stories soon. And tell me where to go!

Posted
by Bruce ElderOctober 11, 2006 7:17 PM

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I've recent just come back from NZ and was thoughly surprised by the quality of food available specially in smaller towns. Australian small town food consists usual of deep fried chicko rolls.
Highly recommend the pub (not sure of the name) in Haast, tiny town amazing meal!

Posted by: charlotte on October 12, 2006 9:32 AM

Hey Bruce, Watch the use of "dribbling" while in NZ. The Kiwis refer to someone that we might call "tired and emotional" or "p....d" or over .05, as "dribbling"I'll be careful. And I promise to do no more "dribbling".

Posted by: Ken on October 12, 2006 1:37 PM

The ultimate dining in Auckland is at The French Cafe. Its won the Auckland Metro magazine restaurant of the year for the last 3 years. You will have to book well in advance and it won't be cheap. I don't get to go very often but when I do its always been a fabulous experience.
www.thefrenchcafe.co.nzI'm in Auckland next week so I'll take your advice and see if I can book in. Always interested in places that are deemed the best. Bruce

Posted by: John on October 18, 2006 10:48 AM

Bruce you are going to need a coffee after your day on the turps in Hawkes Bay. The best coffee and breakfast in Auckland is at Bambina in Ponsonby Rd. Again an establishment that consistently wins best cafe in Metro awards. It will be packed but you won't wait long for a seat. The queue will be short as Kiwis are not used to and dislike waiting for a table.Thanks. I will try it. I have already booked in at the French Cafe. Hope your recommendation is good.Bruce